Friday, March 30, 2012

There are still 16,204 seats available as of tonight at 10PM. There was little movement in the overall numbers this week, with a shift from lower donation levels to higher donation levels. This is to be expected since only NLC members with a lot of points can pick right now. They are the ones that presumably want to improve their seat location or add seats to their account, and can afford to do so.

Anne Danahy of the Centre Daily Times writes that ticket sales are down slightly.

Assistant Athletic Director Greg Myford said the Nittany Lion Club membership is just above the 20,000 mark so far. In 2011, there were 22,474 members, up from 21,577 in 2010.

Overall donations are up by $900,000 compared with last year for a total of $16.3 million, Myford said.

They can sugar coat the numbers all they want, but the reality is that there are about 4,000 more tickets available right now than there were in June at the end of the selection process last year. Four thousand seats were given up. All ticket holders have the option of retaining their seats, so even if they plan on moving up or down, their seats would not currently be listed as available. And any move of equal seats from one giving level to another, wouldn't change the total of available seats. The only factors that could see that number decrease are if people decide to ADD seats to their current package, or new members who never had seats before choose later in the process.

You might think that $900,000 in higher donations would reflect a profit. But if you do the math . . . at $385 per seat for a season ticket, times 4000 empty seats . . . that works out to $1.54 million dollars in lost revenue if those seats aren't sold. And that doesn't include the extra donation level fees for those seats that are lost if they go unsold. Obviously, for many of the more attractive games, e.g. Ohio State and Wisconsin, those seats will get sold individually with no problem, so the overall math is fuzzy at this point.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The O'Brien Era is going to bring changes. Many fans have been looking forward to some changes since 1999. Change can be good. If your diaper is dirty, you need a change. But could too much change be good?

Well, we won't know until September.

But what we do know is that there are changes happening as we speak type. You might need to sharpen your pencils and get an extra eraser before all this is over.

In brief, and I will refer you to Philip Cmor's article on A Change of Pace for further reading on the subject, here are some things going on in Spring practice. The very fact that we know so much that is going on in practice is a change in itself.

Try and dodge these bullets, Mr. Bond . . .

Bill Belton has moved from wide receiver to runningback. Perhaps because . . .

Friday, March 23, 2012

Today, I was able to log on to the virtual venue for the seat selection process for 2012. There are about 4,100 more seats available today than last June. In all, there are 16,390 seats available (15% of the stadium if you use 107,282 as the listed capacity for Joe Paterno Field at Beaver Stadium.)

So without further ado, since I appear to be all out of ado at the moment anyway . . .

SECTION

Donation

Seats Available

Seats Available

Delta

6/8/2011

3/23/2012

WB

$400

232

270

38

WC

$400

25

159

134

WD

600-2000

41

180

139

WE

600-2000

12

9

-3

WF

600-2000

37

200

163

WG

$400

18

143

125

WH

$400

302

339

37

WJ

$100

6

131

125

NA

$100

18

172

154

NB

$100

38

200

162

NC

$100

40

207

167

ND

$100

36

171

135

NE

$100

48

193

145

NF

$100

17

178

161

NG

$100

35

176

141

NH

$100

30

167

137

NJ

$100

35

208

173

NK

$100

36

173

137

NL

$100

39

207

168

EJ

$100

14

101

87

EH

$400

518

428

-90

EG

$400

60

165

105

EF

600-2000

73

182

109

EE

600-2000

0

1

1

ED

600-2000

389

249

-140

EC

$400

283

247

-36

EB

$400

148

108

-40

WBU

$100

0

30

30

WCU

$400

477

581

104

WDU

$600

652

721

69

WEU

$600

303

361

58

WFU

$600

596

708

112

WGU

$400

318

489

171

WHU

$100

1

102

101

WJU

$100

25

147

122

NAU

100-400

48

111

63

NBU

$100

53

56

3

NCU

100-400

121

107

-14

NDU

100-400

94

93

-1

NEU

100-400

105

142

37

NFU

100-400

40

82

42

NGU

100-400

65

80

15

NHU

100-400

78

51

-27

NJU

100-400

126

113

-13

NKU

$100

1

0

-1

NLU

100-400

1

8

7

EJU

$100

31

265

234

EHU

$100

9

138

129

EGU

$400

1067

1153

86

EFU

$600

882

985

103

EEU

$600

762

877

115

EDU

$600

1444

1422

-22

ECU

$400

1541

1526

-15

EBU

$100

2

68

66

SAU

$100

88

117

29

SBU

$100

154

100

-54

SCU

$100

125

109

-16

SDU

$100

106

119

13

SEU

$100

26

42

16

SFU

$100

16

36

20

SGU

$100

17

57

40

SHU

$100

87

118

31

SJU

$100

79

100

21

SKU

$100

113

95

-18

SLU

$100

101

117

16

TOTAL

12284

16390

4106

15%

100

2104

4887

2783

29.82%

400

4989

5608

619

34.22%

600+

5191

5895

704

35.97%

The last three perecentages are the ratio of seats in that category to the total number of seats available--not the total in the stadium, ie of the 16,390 available seats, about 36% of those are in the $600+ donation level.

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

The Board of Trustees has issued a new statement to rationalizecover their asses explain its decision to fire Joe Paterno. The following is excerpted from the email I received from Penn State (they also address firing Spanier, but in this football blog, who really cares about that):

Our decisions were guided by our obligation as Trustees, always, to put the interests of the University first.

While Coach Paterno did his legal duty by reporting that information the next day, Sunday, March 3, to his immediate superior, the then Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley, the Board reasonably inferred that he did not call police. We determined that his decision to do his minimum legal duty and not to do more to follow up constituted a failure of leadership by Coach Paterno.

The Board spent hours on conference calls between Saturday, Nov. 5, and Tuesday, Nov. 8, discussing appropriate action and our fiduciary responsibility as the Trustees. On Wednesday evening, Nov. 9, we met in person in State College. At about 9 pm, we unanimously made the difficult decision that Coach Paterno's failure of leadership required his removal as football coach.

We are sorry for the unfortunate way we had to deliver the news on the telephone about an hour later to Coach Paterno. However, we saw no better alternative. Because Coach Paterno's home was surrounded by media representatives, photographers and others, we did not believe there was a dignified, private and secure way to send Board representatives to meet with him there. Nor did we believe it would be wise to wait until the next morning, since we believed it was probable that Coach Paterno would hear the news beforehand from other sources, which would be inappropriate.

Why is it that the only two people who actually did anything (Paterno and McQueary) are the only ones being punished (Spanier notwithstanding???) The attorney generals (Gricar and Corbett) didn't do anything. Keystone Central didn't do anything--the victim's mother did! Is it really Joe Paterno's decision to initiate an investigation. The last time I looked, he was the FOOTBALL COACH. Most employers don't want employees calling the police until supervisors have been contacted and then letting the higher-ups handle that. Paterno calling the police would have been a breach of school policy! And in the end, at the time Paterno was aware, Sandusky was no longer on PSU property and presumably neither was the victim. Paterno calling the police accomplishes nothing that Curley calling the police would have.

To the best of my knowledge, Tim Curley was not fired. He is on administrative leave. How is his failure to lead not worthy of being summarily fired? Paterno didn't even get the dignity of administrative leave pending an investigation.

I'm so mad I don't know what else to say. Fortunately, a BWI poster submitted an amusing poll which pretty much sums up a lot of the bull shit here:

What would the smart, successful, and well educated members of the Pennsylvania State University Board of Trustees have people believe?

1. The head football coach is the most important and powerful position in the university. It is why we spent two months meticulously interviewing and finding the right candidate, and only two minutes finding the new president.

2. We care, especially about children, because when we heard 1) Child, 2) Sandusky, 3) Sexual Assult, and 4) On Campus, we could not think of a single question to ask.

3. Even though our BOT members are not allowed to talk, we know at least one of our esteemed members would leak the news between when we finished up at 10 pm and the next morning.

4. We really, really, really thought we had all the details because Spanier and Baldwin told us so, even though Spanier was only present for his testimony, Baldwin said she could not divulge details, and no one else's testimony mattered.

5. The $10 million plus we will be spending on this scandal was all necessary and well thought out, in line with our commitment to be responsible stewards of the university.

6. We gave Lanny orders to prioritize the university foremost in his duties, not us.

7. We plan to honor someone who brought such shame to our university that we had to fire him. Head coach emeritus is quite the honor afterall, and completely consistent with our actions.

8. Spanier issued a statement that did not reflect our views, even though when presented with the opportunity to clarify what we believed, we issued nothing.

9. We are very disappointed in the university employees for following university procedures. But if they hadn't followed them, we would have fired them for cause.

10. Even though everyone at the university involved actually took actions and followed up, we didn't think it merited any actions on our part. Our employees exhibited a real failure of leadership.

Number 9 is currently winning after 30 total votes.

Even John "I can't beat Michigan to save my job" Cooper was able to see the situation clearly when he commented--and I paraphrase here--Jim Tressel got fired in Columbus for not reporting a wrong, while Joe Paterno got fired for reporting what he was supposed to report.

The whole angle that PSU covered this up to protect its image is absurd. Had Curley or Schultz contacted the police, everything would have been fine. If the police/DA found evidence, then Penn State would look like the hero for bringing the monster to justice. If they found nothing, then what more could be done? How would bringing Sandusky to justice in 2002 have negatively impacted PSU or the football program? Penn State had nothing to hide in 2002. Sandusky was no longer employed by them. It doesn't make any sense to cover anything up at that point.

Yes, the LEADER SHIP at the level of the Board of Trustees is a BIG SHIP. Like the Titanic.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Normally, I wouldn't even mention something like this, but apparently Eleven Warriors (or is that Eleven Worriers?) linked a picture I farked likening Jim Tressel to Richard Nixon. This was in the context of a post praying suggesting that Penn State leave the Big Ten. Along with Iowa. That makes me feel better.

When I fantasized about casting Penn State's gutter-dwelling, cowardly fanbase out of the Big Ten, the only time I thought the Federal Justice Department would be involved included necrophilia charges centering on some sick abuse of Joe Paterno's corpse. (RIP Joe Paterno, who tragically was eaten alive by a pack of wild wasps in 2009.)

Sadly, the Federalés are now sniffing around an alleged cover-up of the Jerry Sandusky incident. I'm sure Penn State's fans/lawyers would argue something like "AW SHUCKS, it's just mere string of unfortunate coincidences over the course of nearly 15 years." I hope the judge shits on them when they do.

The Big Ten should not be associated with anything that is going to come out of this federal investigation into Penn State. Federal prosecutors, especially the one looking into Penn State, aren't known for games. So just know if Penn State catches a case, it's curtains for them.

If Penn State had any dignity, they would have forfeited the rest of their 2011 season. They didn't. In fact, they hired another football coach and plan on fielding a team in 2012. I hope it doesn't take a Federal incitement to prove how disgusting this is.

All Penn State players should be given their immediate and unconditional scholarship release and a stuffed Nittany Lion head should be mounted on the wall as a lesson to the next group of people who think "the brand" is more important than systematic child molestation. Trust me, Delaney, you won't regret this one.

Yes indeed. Every single person in Pennsylvania--and especially the football fans of Penn State--feel that the Penn State name is more important than child molestation. We should just dismantle Beaver Stadium, sell the scrap iron, and donate the money to rape victims. The problem will be solved and no more kids will ever be molested again.

Seriously? So if you're girlfriend asks you to kill someone to prove that you love her, it's okay to do it? Doing something wrong for a good reason doesn't make it good. It's still wrong. Blaming--and more importantly punishing the current team--does nothing to rectify the wrongs allegedly committed and doesn't provide one iota of relief to any victim that has suffered. How can rational human beings have such convoluted thinking? Oh wait! It's a Buckeye site. I answered my own question.

Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer sent a letter of apology to a campus lesbian and gay advocacy group for a team rule that punished "loafing" players by making them wear lavender jerseys during practice.

Responding to the Scarlet and Gay complaint, Meyer said players pulling up short for the second time during drills would be made to wear another color other than the "purple" jerseys.

"The use of purple was never intended to be used to offend anyone, but since it has, we have taken steps to change the color," Meyer wrote in his return letter March 1. "Please accept our sincere apologies."

Meyer added, "We have core values of respect and honor within our program, and these are two principles that are central to my personal life, my coaching and to Ohio State and its athletics programs. Bias has absolutely no role in how we think or operate."

Scarlet and Gay president Tim Valentine welcomed the swift change.

There's a Scarlet and Gay president? I guess there's nothing wrong with that on multiple levels. Is Northwestern pissed because he called the lavender jerseys purple? Does Iowa still have the pink visitor's locker room? Does anyone care? Oh wait. They want to throw Iowa out of the conference too!!!!

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Penn State's new head football coach, Bill O'Brien, fondly referred to as BO'B or just BOB on the Internet, seems to be taking fans and writers by storm. Initial shucks and awww have given way to more optimistic shock and awe, riding a wave of several high profile recruits already verballed to PSU or strongly considering doing so.

Guman doesn't know whether O'Brien will be a successful head coach at Penn State. Neither do any of us.

But Guman, ESPN/ABC analyst Matt Millen and many other former Nittany Lions like what they've seen from O'Brien in his first two months on the job.

I've been impressed so far. He seems real, energetic, smart, disciplined and detail-oriented.

O'Brien already has dismissed one player, Shawn Oakman, for "a violation of team rules." He's also instituted "early-bird runs" at 5 a.m. Mondays for guys who cut class.

"We're gonna do things the right way here," he said. "We're gonna go to class and we're gonna play good, tough football. There are certain things off the field that we are not gonna tolerate."
He's replaced longtime strength and conditioning coach John Thomas with Craig Fitzgerald, who directs an Olympic-style lifting program that uses free weights, another change.

So he can talk the talk . . . but can he walk the walk?

Many Internet fans are excited. In one thread on BWI, we see comments like these:

I truly believe that the crumbling empire is quickly being recontructed with new, younger and energetic life with the hiring of BO'B and his staff. All those kids who would have loved to play at a formerly "vibrant" Penn State, but went elsewhere due to wanting to play under a more energized program, are now seeing that this program has life again. Therefore, I think that the 3 recent commitments we say this week is just the start of a flood of highly talented kids who will commit over the next few weeks and months. Assuming BO'B has this current team show life and vast improvements over the last 2 years, we should see the rebuilding of this empire similar to what Alabama has seen since Nick Saban came there.

Can you pass me some of that Kool Aid? I will admit that the early recruiting success is exciting, but it remains to be seen whether it can be sustained and whether these kids are still on the list next February.

I believe that the PSU FB "Sleeping Giant" is awakening!

Yeah, and I think the schemes, particularly passing game are/will be a step up; the passing QB and a more sophisticated passing game has become a bigger part of college FB.

I do believe the situation is very analogous to what has happened with the Wrestling Team. All the parts of the machine are there, the remaining question is whether O'B is the same quality mechanic that Cael is.

O'Brien looks like he can get PSU up to date, or even ahead of the curve, in this area.

But not everyone is all in with BOB. In addition to some realists who responded in the above thread we have guys like Robert Spahn who wrote in the Altoona Mirror Voice of the Fan:

For as much success that O'Brien has enjoyed in Foxborough, he's endured just as much, if not more, failure in his previous stops as a coordinator, including at Georgia Tech and Duke.

O'Brien has been marginal at best when working with quarterbacks not named Tom Brady. The Patriots were already established and boasted three Super Bowl victories within seven seasons before O'Brien ever set foot inside of Gillette Stadium.

One could even argue that O'Brien was unable to generate the points needed in the two Super Bowl appearances the Pats made since he arrived, both of which were offensive duds, according to Patriots' standards.

Now that O'Brien has finally begun his PSU duties fulltime in the wake of the recent Super Bowl loss, the PSU faithful are anticipating an offense that resembles what Brady does with the Patriots.

While he worked in college previously, he was never a sparkling can't miss coordinator, and has never been the head man at any level. Plus, the recent track record of New England Patriots offensive coordinators is none too special. After all, maybe Tom Brady "made" Charlie Weis and Josh McDaniels much more than the other way around.
Still, I like the hire... a lot, actually.

I understand O'Brien detractors but I disagree with them on many levels. First the necessary requirement of head coaching experience is becoming a bit overblown for my liking.

If folks want to belly ache about something get upset with the defensive coordinator hire of Ted Roof, that's the actual head scratcher here. Beyond that I'm pretty pleased with the prospects of what O'Brien has to offer Penn State.

It almost doesn't matter who Penn State hired. In my mind, I don't see any way that it's not a long-term rebuilding process there. I think just about any coach is going to struggle there for the next four or five years. Any discussion of Bill O'Brien has to be evaluated in that context.
Given the general lack of interest from high-profile candidates, O'Brien actually makes for a decent hire.

The idea that this program is "broken" or can't be quickly salvaged doesn't fly with me. Michael laid out the fact that at worst-- worst-- Penn State is still ahead of the curve on basically half the league. And given the resources they have, there's no reason they should fall off pace with Nebraska and Iowa, if not surpass them. Everything is there for that to happen, and for the Nittany Lions to firmly entrench themselves as one of the top 2-3 teams year-in and year-out in this conference.

At this point, we just have to give the man a chance. Unfortunately, history is not on BOB's side. The reality is that most programs struggle for a few--if not many years--after a legend is gone. Although F$U started last season highly ranked, have they returned to the prominence of being in the Top 5 nearly every season like Bowden boasted for almost two decades? Is Nebraska back? Alabama took a long time to recover after the Bear. And after Gene Stallings. Notre Dame has not had a great year since Holtz was on the sidelines. Oklahoma after Switzer. Pitt after Johnny Majors (the first time.) I could go on and on.

And the schedule this season is not as favorable as perhaps it has been of late. Ohio and Temple are both coming off bowl game wins. Navy is a tough opponent. Virginia lost their bowl game, but spilt the series with us the last time we played them. In the Big Ten, we have O$U and Wisconsin at home, but road trips to Iowa and Nebraska that will be grueling. In most years under Paterno, that OOC schedule would be good for 3-4 wins. Now, I unfortunately could see a 2-2 start before a tough Big Ten schedule.

But that is not a prediction, and hopefully come August I will find my alcohol usual unfounded optimism.